Legislative leader Larry Rhoden to challenge Mike Rounds

Jul. 9, 2013

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Larry Rhoden

Blog: Read more about Rhoden’s decision and its effect on the U.S. Senate race in David Montgomery’s blog, Political Smokeout100 Eyes: Watch and join live analysis during "100 Eyes on South Dakota Politics" at 3 p.m. Tuesdays at ArgusLeader.com/100Eyes

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A state legislative leader is about to challenge Mike Rounds for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination.

Larry Rhoden, a Republican state senator and former majority leader of the state House of Representatives, said he’s planning to run and will formally announce his plans for the race Wednesday.

Blog: Read more about Rhoden’s decision and its effect on the U.S. Senate race in David Montgomery’s blog, Political Smokeout.100 Eyes: Watch and join live analysis during "100 Eyes on South Dakota Politics" at 3 p.m. Tuesdays at ArgusLeader.com/100Eyes.

“Through my legislative service, I’ve demonstrated my ability to lead and my willingness to take a hard stand and do what’s right instead of what’s politically motivated or politically sound,” Rhoden said. “We need people with strong character and integrity, that are willing to make tough decisions to go to D.C. and show the strength of character to present change.”

Rhoden has publicly been considering a U.S. Senate campaign for some time. A rancher from a rural part of western South Dakota, he’s served in the Legislature since 2001 and is the majority whip in the state Senate.

He’ll be the first official Republican challenger to Rounds, the former governor who entered the race late last year.

When asked for comment, Rounds’ campaign released a similar statement to what they’ve issued for every report of a potential challenger: “We will be prepared to take on all comers.”

Rhoden said he weighed the challenges of the race against what he felt he could offer as a candidate.

“There’s a number of things that go into play as far as the feasibility of it (and) the practicality of it,” Rhoden said. “More importantly, just what’s at stake in this race and what I could provide that maybe others couldn’t.”

Rhoden isn’t well-known in the eastern part of South Dakota, which has a greater share of the state’s population. He said he’ll spend much of his time working to negate that weakness.

“Obviously, I’ve got an issue with name ID all across the state,” he said. “I intend on spending a great deal of time east of the river visiting with folks and going from town to town, getting my name out and getting my message out.”

Another Republican, Sioux Falls physician Annette Bosworth, is publicly considering a U.S. Senate run. She’s been touring the state to gauge interest in her candidacy.

Several other Republicans have expressed interest in the race, including state Rep. Stace Nelson and former lawmakers Mark Venner and Bill Napoli.

The only Democrat who has declared a candidacy is Rick Weiland, a businessman and former aide to Sen. Tom Daschle.